Russian Senior Nationals Entries

According to the Regulations on the national competitions in the 2012/13 season, the skating is allowed no more than 18 athletes in men and women, in pairs - no more than 12 pairs, ice dance - no more than 15 pairs. Number of participants to 90 people.

The final composition of the Executive Committee approved the Federation of figure skating in Russia for presentation coaching the All-Russian Council.

Qualifying competitions for the entry to the Championship of Russia are the stages of the Cup of Russia. Skaters may speak more than twice on the desired category of Master of Sports. Points are added for the occupied space and the best, according to the Regulations, may qualify to participate in the Russian Championship.

The composition of the skaters listed on the basis of:
- Members of the Grand Prix of adults in 2012;
- Finalists in the Grand Prix Championships in 2012 (except for ice dancing);
- Best skaters Cup Russia 2012 in the category of master of sports, based on points earned and court balls (as set).

In ice dancing are members who have received from the judges the most amount of points at the Cup of Russia.

Plu is mentioned on the official site of RusFed as the one who is planning to compete. Probably the paperwork wasn't finalized yet, I mean they didn't know who will be the guy #18 in the preliminary list to get a boot. They now do. He couldn't be put on the list earlier because he wasn't assigned in any GP this season, therefore couldn't get a spot on this ground. Twice or more World/European Champions can get a direct spot in RN without participation in qualifiers or GP.

Well, it's got to be a tricky decision for Worlds, since Russia only has the one spot in men's, I think? The key thing would be if Plush is healthy enough to go at the time of the event. Probably they use Euros as a test skate?

By the way, I'm surprised to see Gorshkova & Butikov still competing at Nationals. They looked pretty horrible in the Russian test skate this summer. I thought they might retire.

If plushenko doesn't go to worlds it'll definitely be decided at euros just like in 2011 when menshov was champion and then gachinski beat him at euros and was sent to worlds. But in that situation Russia was looking for any reason to send gachinski. But in 2010 voronov did so poorly at euros that Borodulin was sent. Good to see him on the list this year. I bet any Russian entry that's not plushenko doesn't place in the top 10. Or they make great technical strides from now to worlds.

Surprised about g/b in dance but like every year they are considered bad so same old same old.

Ladies is going to be probably be radionova I guess because so many others are not commiting or can't. Then leonova.

Championship is called Championship-2013 (being at the end 2012), it is because sometimes championship is at last December, sometimes at early Jauary. So if it will be called by year when really is, may be "two championships of one year".

At Men, Pairs and Ladies are young skaters, not eligible to ISU Senior Championships. Also there is one too young Ice Dance couple.
It is not a problem for Men and Pairs - not so many skaters of this kind (4 of 18 in Men, 4 of 12 in Pairs), they will not be at highest places.
For Ladies situation is not so simple - too young skaters (11 of 18 not eligible by age for Senior Championships, 4 of them are too young for Junior Worlds) may pretend to highest places.

Please remember, that US Championships have not age limits, and there also may be skaters too young for internationals, as in Russia.

http://fcp-press.ru/interview/p2_articleid/5986 (Russian)
Polina Shelepen's coach Svetlana Sokolovskaya told that Polina will take place in Golden Spin of Zagreb (13-15 Dec) and it is not sure that Polina will take place in Nationals (it depends on skating in Zagreb).
Polina had injury of leg and only last 4-5 days try to jump.

http://fcp-press.ru/interview/p2_articleid/5986 (Russian)
Polina Shelepen's coach Svetlana Sokolovskaya told that Polina will take place in Golden Spin of Zagreb (13-15 Dec) and it is not sure that Polina will take place in Nationals (it depends on skating in Zagreb).
Polina had injury of leg and only last 4-5 days try to jump.

http://fcp-press.ru/interview/p2_articleid/5986 (Russian)
Polina Shelepen's coach Svetlana Sokolovskaya told that Polina will take place in Golden Spin of Zagreb (13-15 Dec) and it is not sure that Polina will take place in Nationals (it depends on skating in Zagreb).
Polina had injury of leg and only last 4-5 days try to jump.

Wouldn't it be better not to skate in Zagreb but practice more for nationals and then try to show her best there? Or they go to Zagreb just for the trip? I don't get the logic. Is it the federation testing her in Zagreb for nationals?

Evgeni Plushenko , the defending champion Russia and Europe Alexander Samarin, The first alternate Junior Grand Prix Final, medalist of two Junior Grand Prix and the Cup of Russia on the category of master of sportsEvgenia Tarasova - Vladimir Morozov (Pairs) , who did not even attempt to compete any local the championship of Russia, but instead performed at various overseas tournaments not conducting ISU.